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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Colorado Immunization Information System?
Also known as the Colorado Immunization Registry, the Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS) is a confidential, computerized, population-based system that collects and consolidates vaccination data from vaccine providers and provides tools for designing and sustaining effective immunization strategies at the provider and program levels.

What can the Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS) do for my practice?
The Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS) simplifies immunization record keeping, provides quicker access to immunization records, and helps you keep track of a patient’s immunization status. CIIS can also help you: easily find immunizations for patients new to your practice, provide official copies of immunization records with the touch of a button, and reduce or eliminate chart pulls needed for coverage assessments and Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) reviews. For more information on the specific benefits that CIIS can offer to providers, please visit the Benefits of CIIS page.

How does CIIS work?
The Colorado Immunization Information System is web-enabled and accessed using Internet Explorer. Participating immunization providers can retrieve and input immunizations 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Immunizations for an individual are kept in a single record, even if the individual visits more than one provider. CIIS allows a provider to review a patient’s immunization history at each visit and quickly determine what immunizations are needed based on the most recent recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Participation in CIIS is voluntary for providers and individuals. Parents have the right to have their child’s immunization data excluded from the registry.

Is reporting to CIIS subject to the HIPAA Privacy rule?
No. Reporting of immunization data to CIIS is exempt from the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule since it is considered a public health activity. To learn more about the application of HIPAA to CIIS, please visit the HIPAA and CIIS page.

How is information in CIIS kept confidential?
CIIS must protect the privacy of all users, including children, families and providers. According to standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all immunization information systems (IIS) are required to have a written privacy policy that clearly defines notice of inclusion in the IIS, access to, and use and disclosure of IIS data. For more information about the CIIS confidentiality policy, please visit the Confidentiality/Security page.

Who has access to information in CIIS?
Colorado law allows CIIS to gather immunization information from the immunization providers, clinics, schools, a child’s parent, the individual, any HMO where the individual is enrolled, hospitals, or entities that have contracted with CDPHE for immunizations. Information in CIIS can only be released to the same entities that provide information, plus the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing for individuals enrolled in Medicaid. It is a crime to disclose CIIS information inappropriately. Under Colorado Revised Statute 25-4-2303, anyone who releases information included in CIIS to anyone who is not permitted to have the information commits a class 1 misdemeanor and can be punished by confinement in jail for up to twelve months and/or a fine of up to $2,500.

Can the Colorado Immunization Information System accept data directly from my Electronic Health Records system?
Yes, the Colorado Immunization Information System has the ability to accept electronic data directly from various Electronic Health Records systems (EHRs). The capacity and direction of data exchange depends on the technical capacity of the EHR system and CIIS. Many state and local immunization information systems use the industry standard Health Level 7 (HL7) messaging protocol to exchange immunization data. Others may use batch file exports to an immunization information system. For more information about how CIIS interfaces with various EHRs, please click here.

How much does it cost to participate in the Colorado Immunization Information System?
Good news – there is NO fee for access to or use of the Colorado Immunization Information System! CIIS provides training and support for your staff at no cost to you.

What type of equipment do I need in order to participate in CIIS?
In order to participate in CIIS, your office will need one or more computers with Internet Explorer version 6.0 or greater, internet access and printing capabilities.

How do I access CIIS?
Interested providers are encouraged to contact CIIS staff for an onsite demonstration of the functionality and benefits of the registry. Your office must sign a Letter of Agreement with the Colorado Immunization Information System stating that your practice will keep the information confidential and not share it with any unauthorized person. Contact us to schedule an onsite demo today!

Can individuals get immunization records directly from CIIS?
No. The Colorado Immunization Information System does not release immunization records directly to individuals. For tips on how to track down immunization records, please click here.

Do participating practices have to notify their patients that their immunization data is included in CIIS?
Yes. Participating sites are required by law to notify their patients that their immunization data is included in CIIS. Individuals have the right to opt out and remove their immunization data from the registry at any time. Once a provider gives an individual an opt out form, it is the individual’s responsibility to send that form to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.